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Backpacker Magazine – Fall Gear Guide 2009

Gear Lab

We took durability testing to the extremes, so you would know which gear lasts–and why.

by: Ted Alvarez // Photos by Julia Vandenoever // Illustrations by R. Michael Stinson

Packs were dragged behind this SUV.
Packs were dragged behind this SUV.
Boots were thrashed in a cement mixer filled with rocks and sticks.
Boots were thrashed in a cement mixer filled with rocks and sticks.
Tents got the hose again.
Tents got the hose again.
Sleeping bags spent a night under the wheels of a 2-ton car.
Sleeping bags spent a night under the wheels of a 2-ton car.

PACKS 
If a backpack can survive road rash at 60 miles per hour, it can handle any backcountry abuse.
video icon Plus: Watch the test in our video.

TENTS 
Who wants a mountain tent that buckles under pressure? Not us–so we subjected four to a powerful series of tests.
video icon Plus: Watch the test in our video.

BOOTS 
To survive mixer-tough mountain trails, get Old World craftsmanship.
video icon Plus: Watch the test in our video.

SLEEPING BAGS
When you lose loft, you lose warmth. Ergo, the most durable bag is the one that bounces back best from 3,989 pounds of compression.
video icon Plus: Watch the test in our video.






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Reader Rating: -

READERS COMMENTS

The sleeping bag test was pretty useless- only part of the bags were under the car tires, I think simply putting them in a compressions sack overnight would have been a much better test.

Also, the time it takes the bag to regain its loft isn't really important, what matters is how much loft it regains.
Posted: Dec 25, 2009 Dan Africk

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